KR20110083975A - Methods, systems and accessories useful for procedures relating to dental implants - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method, a system, and accessories useful for procedures relating to dental implants are provided to maintain a physical space arrangement value. CONSTITUTION: A method for procedures relating to dental implants comprises: a step(410) of transplanting a dental implant within the oral cavity; a step(420) of offering a first virtual model; a step(430) of offering a second virtual model showing physical analog of an implant; a step(440) of generating a third virtual model based on the first virtual model; and a step(450) of controlling a physical dental model based on the third virtual model.

Description

METHODS, SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES USEFUL FOR PROCEDURES RELATING TO DENTAL IMPLANTS}

The present invention relates to dental implants and, more particularly, to methods, systems and accessories useful for dental implant related procedures.

Dental implants are widely used as artificial substitutes for the roots of missing teeth and allow dental prostheses to be firmly anchored to the jaw via permanent abutments mounted on the implant. Intraosseous implants generally have a body with a male thread on the outside, which is often self-advancing into bone tissue, and an internal chamber in which a female thread is generally formed therein to receive and fix a fixed shaft of a permanent abutment therein. chamber).

Following implantation of the implant in the oral cavity and healing of surrounding tissue, a physical model in the oral cavity is created to facilitate the design and fabrication of permanent abutments and prostheses or other restorations that will ultimately be mounted on the implant. In one procedure, an impression abutment is mounted on an implant to protrude into the oral cavity, and then an intraoral impression is obtained using well known techniques and an impression material such as, for example, PVS. The impression abutment may be of a pick-up type planted with the impression material and held in the impression material after the impression material is removed. Alternatively, the impression tray is removed without the impression abutment attached to the impression tray, and instead a recess is formed in the impression tray that is complementary to the appearance of the impression abutment. There is one such that the transfer type impression abutment is mounted on the removed impression tray. An analog (analog) corresponding to the particular implant implanted in the patient is then attached to the abutment, where the abutment sits in the impression material and the positive plaster model in the oral cavity in which the analog is implanted. Gypsum is poured into an impression tray containing an analog to produce a In particular, an analog whose inner passageway substantially coincides with the inner passageway of the implant designed to receive, engage and secure the permanent abutment is positioned and oriented in the gypsum model corresponding to the position and orientation of the implant in the patient's mouth. Dental technicians can now attach permanent abutments, custom design permanent abutments for implants, and create coping or bridge frameworks or prostheses to fit into the patient's mouth.

As a general background, the following publications relate to implants:

US 6,358,052 discloses dental implant systems and methods used to perform dental restorations. This dental implant system includes an implant fixture adapted to be placed in a bone; Impression copings adapted to be selectively disposed within the implant fixture and in the dental impression; A pore analog adapted to be selectively disposed within the impression coping image and the dental model; Spherical abutments adapted to be selectively disposed on the pore analog; And a multi-axis abutment adapted to be adjustablely disposed on the spherical abutment, wherein the spherical abutment and the multi-axis abutment are cast and permanent abutments that can be accommodated by pore analog and implant fixtures. Used to create a butt.

US 2008/032262 discloses accurate dental impressions that ensure proper alignment and orientation of the implant member, the abutment member, and the abutment assembled on the implant member and indicate the relationship between the implant site and the implant site for adjacent dental structures and Disclosed is a dental implant system having a transfer key with a joining structure for preparing a mold. Also disclosed is a tooth reconstruction method using a dental implant system in accordance with the present invention.

US 2006/183078 is a body portion having a male thread portion and a threadless circular portion at a proximal end having retaining grooves for engaging with a complementary transition component or comfort cap (comfort cap); A one-piece or two-piece screw receiving implant abutment having a retaining groove for engaging with a complementary transition component or comfort cap and attached to the one-piece or two-piece implant; And a fixture mount that is inserted into the one-piece implant and can be partitioned with the distal end being used to extend the implant height, and discloses an intraosseous dental implant capable of screwing and having a male thread.

 It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art to provide methods, systems and accessories useful for more precise dental implant related procedures.

The term "virtual model" is used herein with the same meaning as "numerical entity", "3D model", and other similar terms, e.g. at least part of an oral cavity or an oral cavity. It relates to a virtual representation in a computer environment of a real object or a physical (physical) model of a real object, such as

The term " scanning " refers to any process for obtaining 3D topographical data of a surface, in particular a tooth surface, and thus is based on a 3D probe, which is a representative mechanical method, for example the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Optical methods, including confocal methods such as those disclosed in WO 00/08415, or other related methods.

The term " display " means any means or method for providing any information, data, image, sound, etc., such that the supply can be in one or more forms of sight and hearing. have.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method and system for manufacturing a physical dental model are provided. A virtual model is provided that represents at least a portion of the oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, the virtual model including a virtual portion representing each dental implant. Each virtual space placement value of the virtual portion associated with such a virtual model is determined corresponding to the actual space placement value of the individual implant with respect to the oral cavity. Based on this virtual model, then corresponding to each implant of the respective physical space placement values associated with the physical model corresponding to the individual virtual space placement values of the respective virtual portions associated with the first virtual model already determined as the physical model. Create a physical model that includes a physical analog.

In at least some embodiments, a jig configured to maintain a physical space placement value set as a target value between the physical analog and the cavity of the physical dental model until at least the physical analog is secured within the cavity of the physical dental model. May be provided.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for producing a physical dental model,

(a) providing a first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one dental implant implanted therein, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing each of the dental implants;

(b) determining a virtual space placement value of each of said virtual portions relative to a first virtual model corresponding to a real space placement value of the respective dental implant associated with at least a portion of said oral cavity; And

(c) a physical model of a portion of the oral cavity, the individual physical in relation to the physical model corresponding to the virtual space placement value of the individual virtual portion in relation to the first virtual model based on the determination in step (b) A method of fabricating a physical dental model is provided, comprising creating a physical model comprising a physical analog corresponding to each implant of a spatial placement value based on the first virtual model.

The first virtual model can be generated in any suitable way. For example, the first virtual model can be generated by scanning a sphere in vivo, or by scanning a positive, negative or complex physical model of the oral cavity that includes representation of the implant and a portion of the dentition adjacent to the implant.

In at least some embodiments, step (b) provides a second virtual model at least partially representing each of the physical analogs, and wherein the second virtual model is separate from the first virtual model and in the virtual space. Integrating based on the determination of the placement value to generate a third virtual model that is the basis of the fabrication of the physical model in step (c). For example, step (b) manipulates the respective second virtual model to a spatial arrangement value aligned with respect to the individual virtual space arrangement, and based on the first virtual model, wherein The first including virtual cavities (ie, virtual representations of cavities) for virtually accommodating each second virtual model therein in a manner corresponding to the cavities required for the individual physical analogs to the physical model. 3 may include generating a virtual model.

The step (c) includes forming an outer model surface corresponding to the dental surface of the portion of the oral cavity, and the individual virtual caching within the physical model to accommodate the respective analog of the individual physical space placement values. And forming a recess corresponding to the vertex.

In at least some embodiments, the at least one recess formed in the physical model provides a friction fit with respect to the respective physical analog to accommodate the respective physical analog as a separate physical space placement value. One virtual cavity is created with a shape that is complementary to the shape of the individual physical analog.

In at least some embodiments, the at least one virtual cavity has a shape complementary to the shape of the individual physical analog such that the respective recess formed in the physical model provides a sufficient gap gap for the individual physical analog. And the individual physical analogs comprise a jacket formed of a suitable model material, and the individual physical analogs containing the individual jackets are housed within the respective recesses with their respective physical space placement values. To enable this, the jacket has an outer shape that is complementary to the outer shape of the individual recess. The outer shape of the individual jacket can be formed to secure the spatial placement of the jacket in the individual recess in six degrees of freedom. For example, the jacket may be formed by a casting process applied to the individual physical analog, or by adding a layer of the model material on the individual physical analog and CNC machining the layer to provide the individual outer shape. It can be formed by.

In at least some embodiments, the at least one virtual cavity has a shape complementary to the shape of the individual physical analog such that the respective recess formed in the physical model provides a sufficient gap gap for the individual physical analog. Proper filler material is created to fill the gap gap so as to enable the individual physical analogs containing the individual jackets to be accommodated in the individual recesses with their respective physical space placement values. . For example, the filler material may comprise a suitable cementing material. Jigs formed to maintain the physical space placement between the respective physical analog and the individual recesses may be provided at least until the physical analog is fixed in the individual recesses. In at least some embodiments, the jig may comprise a base mounted in a spatial relationship fixed to a portion of the physical model, such as fixed to a portion of the physical model, at least until the physical analog is fixed therein. have. In at least some embodiments, the portion of the physical model does not include a physical model representation of the teeth adjacent to the implant.

In at least some embodiments, the step (c) comprises forming an outer model surface corresponding to the dental surface of the portion of the oral cavity from the blank of model material, wherein the blank is within a portion of the oral cavity. Each of the dental implants comprises each of said physical analogs in a relative spatial arrangement relative to each other corresponding to a relative spatial arrangement relative to each other.

In at least some embodiments, step (c) comprises computer controlled fabrication of at least a portion of the physical model. For example, step (c) may include fabricating the physical model through a material cutting operation applied to the blank material.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is provided a dental model produced by the method.

According to at least some embodiments, the physical model is made with a configuration configured to provide a friction fit with the analog.

According to at least some other embodiments, the analog is implanted in a suitable material that is milled for interference fit with holes that may be useful, for example, when the analog has a shape that does not allow frictional fit.

According to at least some other embodiments, the model is fabricated with a relatively large cavity to provide a loose fit for the cemented analog when held in place in the jig.

According to another embodiment, the gypsum blank is cast with an analog implanted at a particular known location. The blank is then machined to enable the analog to be precisely positioned and / or aligned with respect to other parts of the finished physical model (eg, model dental surface).

According to this aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for producing a physical dental model of the oral cavity,

(A) providing a first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing each of the dental implants, A scanning device and computer system configured to determine a virtual space placement value of each of the virtual portions in relation to a first virtual model corresponding to a real space placement value of the respective dental implant in relation to at least a portion of the portion of the dental implant;

(B) a physical analog corresponding to each said implant;

(C) a physical model of a portion of the oral cavity, the physical analog corresponding to each implant of an individual physical space placement value associated with the physical model corresponding to the individual virtual space placement value determined by the computer system; Provided is a system for fabricating a physical dental model of an oral cavity comprising a fabrication system for fabricating an inclusive physical model based on the first virtual model.

The production system is computer controlled. For example, the fabrication system can be configured to fabricate the physical model through a material cutting operation applied to the blank material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an accessory having one or more physical dental models and a jig is also provided.

In one embodiment, a jig is provided to maintain a defined spatial placement value as a target value between at least the individual analog and the individual cavity of the physical model of the oral cavity until at least the physical analog is fixed, the jig being implanted. And a base configured to be mounted to a portion of the physical model that does not include a portion representing a tooth adjacent to a location.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for modifying a physical dental model,

(A) providing a physical model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one dental implant implanted therein, the physical model comprising a model portion representing each of the dental implants;

(B) providing a first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one dental implant implanted therein, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing each of the dental implants;

(C) determining a virtual space placement value of each of said virtual portions relative to a first virtual model corresponding to a real space placement value of the respective dental implant associated with at least a portion of said oral cavity; And

(D) an individual physical space in relation to the physical model corresponding to the virtual space placement value of the individual virtual portion in relation to the first virtual model based on the determination in step (C) within the physical model of the portion of the mouth. A method for modifying a physical dental model is provided, comprising modifying the physical model of a portion of the oral cavity by including a physical analog corresponding to each implant of a placement value.

The method according to this aspect of the invention may comprise, with minor modifications, one or more elements and features provided with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, it is configured to maintain a physical space placement value set as a target value between the physical analog and the cavity of the physical dental model until at least the physical analog is secured within the cavity of the physical dental model. A jig is provided which is characterized in that there is. The cavity is an analog receiving cavity formed in the model, and is formed to allow the analog to be fixed in the cavity with the spatial placement value to provide a spatial placement value defined as a target value between the analog and dental models.

The cavity is usually larger (width and / or depth) than is required for a portion of the analog to be implanted in the physical model, and provides a fillable gap gap between the analogs and the analog finally allowing the cavity, for example, through a suitable filler material Is fixed inside.

According to at least some embodiments, the jig has a first end configured to be mounted to the dental model with a first spatial placement value for the dental model, and a second spatial placement value for the second end with a physical analog as the second end. And a strut having a second end for mounting relative to the second end, wherein the first end is set to a third spatial placement value for the second end and the first spatial placement value. The second spatial placement value and the third spatial placement value are determined by the target between the cavity of the physical analog and the physical dental model when the strut is mounted to the dental model and the physical analog is mounted to the strut. It is chosen to provide the physical space layout determined by the value.

In at least some embodiments, the jig may additionally or optionally comprise a spacer member, the strut having an elongate arm, the elongate arm having both the first end and the first end at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Two end portions, the first end having a strut base portion configured to be mounted to the dental model through the spacer member to provide the first spatial arrangement between the first end and the dental model.

The strut base portion may be formed to allow the spacer member to be mounted to the strut by coupling the spacer member to the strut base portion. At least one of the strut base portion and the spacer member may have a first engagement mechanism that enables the spacer member to be mounted to the strut base portion with a spatial placement value relative to the strut base portion fixed in six degrees of freedom. Can be. For example, the first engagement mechanism may comprise at least two laterally spaced pins projecting from the second spacer end of the spacer member, and corresponding complementary recesses formed in the strut base portion to receive each of the pins. It can be provided. Other forms for the first coupling mechanism can of course also be provided.

The dental model in at least some of the embodiments may be provided with a model base portion, the model base portion being configured to allow the spacer member to be mounted to the dental model by being coupled to the model base portion. At least one of the model base portion and the spacer member may have a second engagement mechanism that enables the spacer member to be mounted to the model base portion with a spatial placement value relative to the model base portion fixed in six degrees of freedom. Can be. For example, the second engagement mechanism may have at least two laterally spaced pins projecting from the first spacer end of the spacer member, and corresponding complementary recesses formed in the model base portion to receive each of the pins. It can be provided.

In at least some embodiments, said spacer member has a first spacer end and a second spacer end, said first spacer end being secured in six degrees of freedom through said strut base portion said first end of said proximal arm And the second spacer end is configured to be mounted to the first end of the elongate arm with a spatial placement value for, wherein the second spacer end is a spatial placement value for the fixed model base portion in six degrees of freedom through the model base portion of the dental model. It is formed to be mounted on the dental model.

The geometry of the jig, in particular the characteristic space arrangement of the various parts of the jig for proper engagement with the physical dental model, may be based on the method provided by the first aspect of the invention.

The jig according to at least one of the above embodiments can be fabricated integrally from a suitable blank through a material cutting process or integrally via a rapid forming process based on previously determined geometry.

According to this aspect of the invention, as a jig useful for dental implant procedures,

An arm having a first arm end and a second arm end spaced from the first arm end, wherein the first arm end has a first coupling mechanism and the second arm end is detachable from the physical analog; An arm configured to hold;

A spacer member having a first spacer end and a second spacer end spaced from the first spacer end, the first spacer end being formed to be coupled to the first arm end via the first coupling mechanism, The second spacer end comprises a spacer member configured to be mounted to a physical dental model having a cavity representing at least a portion of a patient's actual dentition,

The jig has such an arm and a spacer member to act to maintain a physical space placement value set as a target value between the physical analog and the cavity of the physical dental model, and at least the physical analog is to be fixed within the cavity. Until the analog is received at least partially within the cavity.

In another embodiment of the jig, the physical space placement value defined as the target value of the physical analogue to the dental model is determined by the space placement value of the dental model corresponding to the analogue to the actual dentition indicated by the dental model. Corresponding.

According to this aspect of the invention, a kit useful for dental implant procedures,

To receive a physical analog with a model spatial placement value for the model dentition corresponding to the actual spatial placement of the implant relative to the actual dentition, with a model dentition representing the patient's first actual dentition; A physical dental model having a cavity formed; And

A kit is provided that includes a jig configured to maintain the physical analog at the model space placement value for the cavity until at least physical analog is secured within the cavity.

In at least some embodiments, the jig may have a spacer member and a strut, the strut having a strut base portion configured to be mounted to the dental model through the spacer member, and a strut end configured to hold a physical analogue. do.

The dental model may include a model base part, which is formed to allow the spacer member to be mounted to the dental model by being coupled to the model base part.

The spacer member may have a first spacer end and a second spacer end, wherein the first spacer end is formed to be mounted to the strut with a spatial placement value for the strut fixed in six degrees of freedom through the strut base portion. And the second spacer end is configured to be mounted to the dental model with a spatial placement value relative to the model base portion fixed in six degrees of freedom through the model base portion of the dental model.

The model dentition generally represents an adjacent set of actual teeth of the patient's first arch form and may comprise a model set of teeth that corresponds to the set of actual teeth of at least a portion of the patient's first arch form, wherein the cavity is It is located adjacent to at least one said model tooth in a position corresponding to the missing tooth.

The kit further includes a secondary dental model representing a second actual dentition of at least a portion of the patient's second arch form, the second real dentition being engaged against the first real dentition. The secondary dental model may be configured to be mounted to the dental model in an engagement relationship corresponding to the engagement relationship between the first actual teeth and the second actual teeth. This can be accomplished, for example, by mounting the two models to a spacer member or a suitable articulator.

According to the present invention, there is provided a virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, wherein each virtual space placement of the virtual portion in relation to the virtual model is the actual space of the individual implant in relation to the oral cavity. It can be determined in response to the placement value, and computer-controlled fabrication of physical models, including physical analogues, based on the virtual models, enabling the creation of more precise physical dental models.

Furthermore, by providing a jig configured to maintain a physical space placement value set as a target value between the physical analog and the cavity of the physical dental model until at least the physical analog is fixed within the cavity of the physical dental model. This allows for the creation of more precise physical dental models.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the present invention and to see how it may be practiced, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described herein, specific embodiments are described below, which are illustrative only and not limiting of the present invention.
1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
3 (a) and 3 (c) are side and top views, respectively, of an implant and impression abutment according to one embodiment of the present invention; 3 (b) and 3 (d) are side and plan views of the analog corresponding to the implants of FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (c), respectively.
4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (c) show virtual models of intraoral, analog with impression abutments, and the physical model to be produced.
5 is an isometric view of a physical model corresponding to the virtual model of FIG. 4C, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an isometric view of a physical model according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of a casting apparatus for casting a jacketed analog for use with the model of FIG. 6.
7 is an isometric view of a physical model according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7A is an isometric view of a virtual model of a jacketed analog corresponding to the model of FIG. 7.
8 is an isometric view of a physical model according to a third embodiment of the present invention with a positioning jig used together.
9 is a side view of a modification of the jig of FIG. 8.
10 is a side view of another embodiment of a jig.
11 is an isometric view of a physical model according to a third embodiment with spacer members of the positioning jig used together.
12 is an isometric view of the physical model of FIG. 11 with the positioning jig used together.
13 is an isometric view of the physical model of FIGS. 11 and 12 with the analog fixed in place.
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the physical model of FIG. 13 with the spacer member of FIG. 11 and the secondary dental model of opposing teeth in an engaged relationship.
It is a side view of the blank (intermediate material) for producing the physical model which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Systems and methods are provided for use in dental implant procedures in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

2 shows a block diagram of a method 400 for use in a dental implant procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a system 200 for implementing a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It shows the main components of.

Although the description of the specifics for carrying out the invention is directed to a single implant, the invention is intended to be understood, for example, that the implants are independent of each other so that each is used as an independent prosthesis or at least some of the implants are a single bridge prosthesis. It will be readily appreciated that minor modifications may also be applied to a plurality of implants that may be combined together to form other multiple prostheses, which may be implanted into the patient's mouth.

System 200 includes: a first module having a scanner 250 and a microprocessor or other suitable computer system 260; A second module comprising a physical analogue 230 corresponding to an implant 240 desired for implantation into the mouth of a patient; And a manufacturing system 280 for manufacturing the physical model 600 in the oral cavity including the analog 230.

Computer system 260 is an input interface or module 210 such as a keyboard, mouse, tablet, etc., an output device or display means or module 220 that is typically a screen or monitor but may additionally or optionally include a printer or other display system. ), For example, a processing device or module 230 such as a CPU, and a memory 235.

The scanner 250 is configured to provide surface data of the implant 240 and the surface such as hard tooth surfaces, surfaces of other tissues in the oral cavity of the patient, especially on the fly or prior to implantation, and is also operable with the computer system 260. Connected and interact with each other. Computer system 260 is suitably programmed to rebuild those surfaces from the provided surface data, providing a first virtual model in the oral cavity. Such scanners determine three-dimensional structures by confocal focusing of a bundle of light beams, such as, for example, those sold under the name iTero, or as disclosed in WO 00/08415, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. It contains a probe. Optionally, the necessary scanning can be accomplished using a suitable scanning device, for example including a hand held probe. Optionally, color data of the oral cavity may also be provided along with the 3D data, such that the first virtual model 500 may include spatial information and color information of the scanned tooth surface. Examples of such scanners are disclosed in US 2006-0001739, assigned to the applicant of the present application. The applicant's application mentioned above is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, the physical analog 230 allows for example to be combined with the complementary structure of a permanent abutment and to a permanent word for analog (and thus for a physical dental model). It includes a housing 234 with an internal passageway, ie chamber 231, such as with a hexagonal inlet and a female thread that allows the location of the butt to exhibit six degrees of freedom. The inner chamber 231 thus corresponds to the inner chamber 241 of the implant 240 and coincides superficially with the inner chamber 241 of the implant 240. The external shape of the housing 234 is formed to be implanted within the physical model 600 of the oral cavity.

The fabrication system 280 consists of a computer controlled fabrication system for fabricating a physical model from a virtual model with respect to the machine tool coordinate system (C). In this embodiment, the fabrication method itself is a material cutting method, such as CNC milling, and the physical model 600 is a precise spatial orientation relative to the physical model of the oral cavity to correspond to the spatial orientation and position of the implant 240 within the patient's oral cavity. And to incorporate or be able to incorporate physical analog 230 into position.

Referring again to FIG. 2, method 400 largely includes the following steps.

Step 410-At least one implant 240 is implanted into the mouth of the patient.

Step 420-a first virtual model 500 representing at least a portion of the oral cavity comprising each dental implant, wherein a position and orientation of the implant relative to the oral cavity can be determined with respect to the first virtual model. A model 55 is provided.

Step 430-Provide a second virtual model representing the physical analog of the implant.

Step 440, the second virtual model is manipulated to be in a space alignment state, that is, the spatial alignment value aligned with respect to the first virtual model corresponding to the relative placement value between the oral cavity and the implant, to the physical model of the oral cavity A third virtual model is created based on the first virtual model having a virtual cavity for accommodating the second virtual model in a manner of parling the cavities of the physical analog.

Step 450-Computer controlled fabrication of physical dental model 600 including analog 230 based on the third virtual model.

Looking at each step in turn, step 410 involves implanting at least one implant into the oral cavity of the patient, which step 410 follows dental procedures that are well established in the art, and thus further details. Is omitted here.

Step 420 includes acquiring an accurate 3D representation of the required portion of the patient's oral cavity, where it may also be replaced with a "three-dimensional model", a "3D model", a "virtual model", and the like. Representation focuses on the specific implant procedure of a particular patient, and it is desirable to obtain 3D terrain or surface data. The required portion of the oral cavity may include some or all of the mandibular or maxillary or both mandibular and maxillary arches, and may further include a detailed spatial relationship between the interdigitated mandibular and maxillary arches, It includes a positioned implant.

In any case, this first virtual model 500 can be provided by scanning the intraoral cavity using any suitable equipment for scanning the patient's teeth. Such scanning equipment consists of the scanner 250 of the system 200 in this embodiment, but any other suitable scanner may be used in other embodiments. Optionally, the 3D digital data may be obtained in any other suitable manner, including optical methods, direct contact methods applied directly to the patient's dentition, or other suitable oral scanning techniques based on any other method. Alternatively, X-ray based, CT based, MRI based or any other form of oral scanning method of the patient can be used.

The 3D virtual model is generated to contain sufficient 3D information about the implant 240 so that the position of the implant 240 relative to the oral cavity can be determined in the first virtual model 500. To this end, if the position of engagement of the healing abutment with respect to the implant 240 is unique and it is determinable to observe or scan at least the exposed portion of the healing abutment in the oral cavity, the healing abutment may be removed during scanning. It may be sufficient to remain coupled to 240). Otherwise, prior to the scanning operation, in this embodiment, the healing abutment is removed and replaced with the impression abutment 246 (FIG. 3 (a)), and this impression abutment 246 Is formed with an appropriate marker or other position indicator 245 (FIG. 3 (c)) that provides information about its position and orientation in its exposed portion in the oral cavity, Information regarding the position and orientation of 246 also includes information about the cavity 241 of the implant 240 (e.g., in the form of a hexagonal inlet where the permanent permanent abutment is seated therein in the example of many implants). .

In a further embodiment, the physical model of the oral cavity is formed, for example, by casting with impression gypsum including implant 240 and impression abutment 246 (or a suitable healing abutment) following the oral impression. This physical model (or impression) can be provided and scanned in any suitable way to provide the first virtual model 500.

For example, referring to FIG. 4A, the first virtual model 500 includes a portion 509 corresponding to the actual tooth, a portion 508 corresponding to the gingival tissue, and the impression abutment 246. And a portion 502 corresponding to the exposed portion of.

In step 430, FIG. 4 (b) Referring to, for the impression of being coupled to the first virtual area 554, and physical analogue representing the physical analog 230 of the implant 240 A second virtual model 550 is provided that includes a second virtual portion 551 representing the abutment 246.

In the first embodiment, the analog 230 is of constant cross-sectional shape or of alternatively tapered cross-sectional shape to enable insertion into a cavity having an axially complementary shape. At the same time, the cross section is a cross section (e.g., elliptical, asymmetrical, polygonal, etc.) for fixing the position of the analog in the cavity in six degrees of freedom by inserting the analog into the cavity of complementary shape.

In step 440 , the second virtual model 550 is manipulated in the virtual environment of the computer system 260 to be in a spatial arrangement, ie, aligned with the first virtual model 500, that is, with the first virtual model 500. A third virtual model 560 is created, which is in a spatial fit state of, and corresponds to some extent to a virtual combination of the first virtual model and the second virtual model shown in FIG. 4C, wherein a second virtual model is generated. The model is essentially subtracted from the first virtual model.

The first virtual model 500 and the second virtual model 550 have a portion 502 corresponding to the exposed portion of the impression abutment 246 and a corresponding portion 552 of the second virtual model 550. Virtually aligned by manipulating both models 500, 550 by computer system 260 to fit. Such virtual alignment can be accomplished in many ways known in the art. For example, there is a method using shape recognition software that compares the shape of one part of one virtual model at a given time until a part matching another part of another virtual model is found within a certain error limit. . Optionally, this process may be performed by the computer system 260 and the user if the computer system can identify one region of the two models that are common to each other when the computer system examines the matched portions of the two models within the confirmation area. Can be accelerated by action. Once a match is found, one or both of the two models can be rotated and / or translated such that the parts to be aligned are aligned with each other to align the two models. As such, the aligned portion 552 (and portion 502) is effectively removed from the first model 500, and the surface 565 is added to the first model to create a third model. Surface 565 has a first virtual portion 554 at the remainder of second virtual portion 551, i.e., lower portion 553 (corresponding to the outer portion of impression abutment 246 that is obscured in the drawing). It consists of addition. Optionally, surface 565 may extend radially, or transversely, from longitudinal axis 569 of the second virtual model to facilitate frictional fit between physical model 600 and analog 230. .

Thus, the virtual model 560 receives an external virtual surface 561 representing dental tissue exposed in the oral cavity, and a second virtual model corresponding to analog or at least a portion thereof, at the same relative position as the implant in the oral cavity. And an inner virtual surface 565 representing the cavity for holding.

At step 450, Figure 5, is produced by a physical dental model 600 is built-analog (230) based on a third virtual model produced by the system 28. In this embodiment, a computer controlled material cutting fabrication method such as, for example, CNC milling or machining, is used to mill or otherwise machine the physical model 600 from a blank (blank) material. An external model surface 661 corresponding to the surface 561 of the virtual model 560 and representing the dental tissue exposed in the oral cavity is created, and an inner surface corresponding to the surface 565 of the third virtual model 560 is created. And an analog 230 inserted therein with a friction fit to achieve a fixed position and orientation in six degrees of freedom relative to the physical model 600 corresponding to the position and orientation of the patient's oral implant 240. Create verty 665.

Suitable CNC machining paths for generating the outer surface 661 and the cavity 665 of the model 600 from the blank are generated from the third virtual model 560 by methods known in the art.

A feature of the CNC controlled fabrication method of the model 600 according to this and other embodiments of the present invention is that the machining instructions for generating both the outer surface 661 and the cavity 665 of the model 600 are the same. Is derived from the virtual model 650 and is therefore based on the same machine coordinate system (C). This allows the same CNC controlled fabrication system to be used to machine the cavity 665 together with the outer surface 661 of the model 600 in a parallel or serial chamber, in a precise and consistent manner, and in one machining operation. Do it. Further, determine the 3D shape of the outer surface 661 of the bar, which may be required when the outer surface 661 and the cavity 665 are manufactured using different methods and are not based on the same virtual model, and then There is no need for a disconnective scanning operation to align the CNC machining of the cavity 665 to the 3D shape of the determined outer surface 661. Therefore, the manufacturing method according to the present invention is also quick and effective.

Thus, the computer-controlled machining method described above is at least the position of the cavity 665 relative to the exterior surface 661 since the machining methods of both the cavity 665 and the exterior surface 661 are based on the same coordinate system. And a high degree of dimensional precision in terms of alignment and hence the position and alignment of analog 230 relative to model 600 when analog 230 is mounted within model 600.

The physical model 600 thus prepared can help dental technicians design and / or prepare permanent abutments, copings, prostheses, and the like in a manner known in the art.

The system and method according to the second embodiment of the present invention include all the components and features of the above-described first embodiment, and are slightly modified to have the following differences. In the second embodiment, the analog may be unsuitable or impossible to press fit into the cavity in the axial direction. For example, a preferred analog is designed to fix the analog in the gypsum model when the model is cast using the prior art method with the analog positioned in its proper position thanks to the impression abutment fixed in the impression material. It may be a commercial analog that may include protrusions that project in the transverse direction.

According to a second embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, analog 230 is implanted in jacket 300 to form composite analog 310. In this embodiment, the jacket 300 is an external shape that can be easily inserted into a complementary cavity 340 formed in the physical model indicated by 601 in a suitable direction, such as, for example, the axial direction with respect to the analog 230. It is fabricated from a machined material that is milled or otherwise machined while seated on the analog 230 to have a. The method steps of FIG. 2 are applicable to the second embodiment through minor modifications, the main difference being that at least some of the steps associated with the analog 230 and the cavity 665 are slightly modified in the second embodiment. It can be applied to the composite analog 310 and the cavity 340.

Thus, steps 410 and 420 for the second embodiment are substantially the same as for the first embodiment with some variations.

In step 430 , the second virtual model may represent the physical analog 230 but also the jacket 300 and thus the composite analog 310. The shape and relative position of the outer surface 315 of the jacket 300 to be engaged with respect to the inner surface 325 of the cavity 340 may be predetermined (first choice form) or part of the method of the present invention. It may also be designed as (second choice form).

According to the first selection form, the shape and relative position of the outer surface 315 of the jacket 300 to be engaged with respect to the inner surface 325 of the cavity 340 may be predetermined. Jacket 300 is formed on analog 230. For example, the analog 230 is cast or otherwise implanted in the blank material and the jacket 300 is processed until the outer surface 315 has the desired shape. Optionally, referring to FIG. 6A, the casting material 317 is previously defined while the analog 230 is held in a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to the precision mold 316 by the jig 318 or the like. It can be poured into a precision mold 316 of internal shape. In any case, at step 430 , the final composite analog 310 is scanned to precisely determine the surface coordinates of the analog 310, for example, while the impression abutment is attached to the analog 230. A first virtual portion representing the dragon abutment and a second virtual portion representing the outer surface 315 are provided. Next, in step 440 , the third virtual model is slightly modified to fit the first virtual part and the second virtual part defined in step 430 to be generated in a manner substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, The virtual model includes an outer surface corresponding to the exposed surface of the oral cavity, and a virtual cavity approximately complementary to the non-exposed and second virtual portions of the first virtual portion obtained in this embodiment. In the production stage 450, 340, the cavity and the outer surface of the physical model is a slight variation is produced in the similar manner as in the first embodiment, the position of the then combined analog 310 implant 240 in the mouth and The analog 230 can be fixed in the cavity 340 by causing the analog 230 to align with the model 601 in a manner that parallelizes the orientation.

According to a second optional form, the shape and relative position of the outer surface 315 of the jacket 300 to be engaged with respect to the inner surface 325 of the cavity 340 is designed as part of the method. Thus, in step 430, the second virtual model representing the analog 230 is slightly deformed is provided in a manner similar to that described for the first embodiment. This second virtual model is then modified by adding a suitable external virtual surface displaced outward with respect to the virtual surface to account for the complementary virtual recess provided in the third virtual model, ie the insertion path to the cavity. . For example, the outer virtual surface may have an overall triangular shape corresponding to, for example, the shape of the outer surface 315 shown in FIG. 6. Optionally, referring to FIGS. 7 and 7 (a), for example, the external virtual surface, indicated as 360, may correspond to a portion of the first virtual model and buccal to proximal location of the implant 240 in the oral cavity. The hyperventral gingiva is exposed portions of the outer surface of the tissue and is provided with a virtual side portion 361 and a base 362 to surround the initial virtual model of analog in the virtual space. In step 440 , the third virtual model effectively removes the virtual surface corresponding to the surface 360 of the second virtual model from the first virtual model, and the virtual recess formed to allow the second virtual model to fit therein. That is, by adding complementary virtual surfaces to the side portions 361 and the base 362 to form cavities. In step 450 , the physical model 602 is slightly modified to be fabricated in a manner similar to the first embodiment to create a recess or cavity 345 with an outer surface corresponding to a portion of the oral cavity. Step 450 includes fabricating a composite analog 340 based on the modified second virtual model generated in step 430, which may, for example, cast a typically hidden portion of the analog 230 in the blank material or Or by planting in other ways, the jacket 342 is CNC machined based on the second virtual model, with the analog in the jacket being held at a known location for the production system 280.

The system and method according to the third embodiment of the present invention include all the components and features of the first and second embodiments described above, and are slightly modified to have the following differences. In the third embodiment, the analog is not placed in a press fit relative to the physical model. For example, the analog may be unsuitable or impossible to press fit axially into the cavity.

According to the third embodiment, referring to FIG. 8 , the physical model 603 of the oral cavity is slightly modified with two major differences to be fabricated in a manner similar to the first embodiment. The first difference is that the processed cavity 666 is significantly larger than needed to accommodate the analog 230 in a tight fit, the analog having a gap 662 in the cavity and the position of the implant 240 in the oral cavity. The cavity can be of any desired shape, as long as it can be inserted into position and orientation relative to the model 603 that has been parallelized. For example, in step 440 it may only be necessary to establish a spatial relationship between the second virtual model and the first virtual model, after which the virtual cavity corresponding to the cavity 666 is associated with two adjacent teeth in the model. Can be created by effectively removing a "slice" of the first virtual model partitioned by the placement. The second difference is that the third virtual model is created to include a virtual representation of the unitary combining platform 670, after which the combining platform 670 is fabricated integrally with the physical model 603.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the system and method of the third embodiment of the present invention, a filling and fixing material such as, for example, an epoxy resin, is positioned in the gap gap 662 to solidify and cement the analog in place. The jig is provided, which maintains the analog 230 in a predetermined position and orientation within the cavity 666 until it is separated, after which it can be separated from the analog 230 and the model 603.

Jig 700 is, according to its first embodiment, Base 710; And a second arm having a first end 725 that is firmly attached to the base 710 and a free end 725 to which the abutment receiving end of the analog 230 can be mounted in a known unique spatial relationship. A substantially rigid inverted U-shaped strut 720 having 724. There is therefore a specific defined spatial relationship between the free end 725 and the base 710. The shape of the jig is just one example, and any suitable arrangement having a defined geometric relationship between the model coupling base and the analog coupling end can be used. In addition, the coupling platform 670 is at a remote location from the model portion representing the tooth surface, so that there is no or minimal interference with the cavity 666 and the analog 230 by the jig, thereby facilitating the user's cementing process. Let's do it.

9, the jig 700 is mounted to the model 603 by engaging the base 710 and the abutment surface of the coupling platform 670 in a unique engagement position, thus engaging the fixed position until removed. Will be. In this embodiment, the geometry of the jig 700 is It is decided in advance. For example, the jig 700 may be prefabricated as a standard product. In addition, the position and orientation of the coupling platform 670 relative to the cavity 666 may be such that the jig 700 fits the model 603 with the base 710 firmly mounted in position on the coupling platform 670. When engaged, the end 725 is designed to automatically position the analog 230 attached thereto to the cavity 666 and thus to the correct position relative to the model 603. Thus, model 603 may be fabricated with a base portion 605 extended to provide the required position and orientation for base 710 via coupling platform 670 if desired.

The corresponding position and orientation of the coupling platform 670 may be calculated in a relatively direct manner at step 440. If the virtual equivalent of the cavity 666 has already been designed at step 440, the required position and orientation of the second virtual model representing the analog 230 is also known. The relative spatial position between the end 725 of the jig 700 and the base 710 is also known, and thus by effectively securing the end 725 with the virtual model of the analog 230 to virtually bring the end 725 to the combined position, The corresponding position of the base 710 relative to the third virtual model is also fixed automatically. Thus, the shape and position of the virtual equivalent of the abutment surface of the engagement platform 670, in particular the engagement platform 670, are easily determined in the third virtual model and are essentially complementary to the abutment surface 761 of the base 710. It is possible for the physical model 603 to be manufactured integrally with the in place coupling platform 670.

Instead of a single jig 700, optionally a group of predefined structures, each having the same general characteristics of the same jig 700, but each having a different defined geometric relationship between the individual ends 725 and the base 710. It will be appreciated that the jigs may be provided. Thus, at step 440 , computer system 260 may automatically determine, or through interaction with the user, which of the particular jigs provide the optimal design for model 603 when used together.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more of such jigs may be fabricated from several modular components that are rigidly connectable, and the user (or computer system 260) may determine which platform 670 is available from among the available components. It can be selected to install an optimal jig based on whether it is designed and manufactured.

In a modification of the third embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the second embodiment of the jig indicated by reference numeral 700 ′ includes all the elements and features of the first embodiment of the jig, and is slightly changed to the following. Has the difference. In a second embodiment of the jig, the jig 700 ′ may be specially designed and manufactured for use with the particular model 603. In this case, the jig 700 ′ has the general characteristics and characteristics of the same jig 700, but the specific geometric relationship between the end 725 ′ and the base 710 ′ is such that the base 710 ′ is model 603. It is optimized in some manner with the limitation that it must be mounted to the standard coupling platform 670 'in a given position and orientation of the image.

11 to 13, the third embodiment of the jig indicated by reference numeral 900 includes all the elements and features of the first and second embodiments of the jig, and is slightly modified to have the following differences. . In a third embodiment of the jig, the jig 900 includes a substantially rigid strut 920 having a spacer member 910 and an arm 922 to which one end 921 can be firmly attached to the spacer member. It is included. The other end 925 of the arm 922 is provided with a mounting mechanism 923, on which the analog 230 can be mounted in a known unique spatial relationship at the abutment receiving end position. have. Thus, a specific defined spatial relationship exists between the end 925, the mounting mechanism 923, and the spacer member 910.

The spacer member 910 includes two free ends 911 and 912 opposed in the longitudinal direction and accommodates a pair of laterally spaced pins 915 and pins 915 projecting from the end 911. And an endless portion 921 of the arm 922 to form an L-shaped strut 920 by means of a coupling mechanism having a complementary socket, ie a hole 916, formed in the end 921 to hold. The mating surface between the end 921 and the end 911 and between the pin 915 and the hole 916 effectively secures the relative spatial arrangement between the arm 922 and the spacer member 910 in six degrees of freedom. In a variation of this embodiment, any other suitable combination, i. A mechanism may be used.

At the same time, the dental model 602 ′ includes a base portion 660 ′ through which the jig 900 can be mounted via the spacer member 910, and the end 912 of the spacer member 910 has an end ( Another coupling mechanism having a complementary socket or hole 918 formed in the base portion 660 ′ to receive and retain a pair of laterally spaced pins 917 and pins 917 protruding from the 912. And detachably attached to the base portion 660 '. The mating surface between the end 912 and the base portion 660 'and between the pin 917 and the hole 918 effectively reduces the relative spacing between the base portion 660' and the spacer member 910 in six degrees of freedom. Fix it. In a variation of this embodiment, any other suitable coupling to realize that the base portion 660 ′ and the spacer member 910 are detachably and repeatably connected to each other in a spatially fixed manner relative to each other. That is, a mounting mechanism may be used.

In this embodiment, the geometry of the spacer member 910 is It is decided in advance. For example, the spacer member 910 may be prefabricated as a standard product. In addition, the position and orientation of the base portion 660 'with respect to the cavity 666', the geometry of the arm 922, and the relative position between the ends 921 and 912 are such that the spacer member 910 has a base portion. End 925 is securely mounted in position on 660 'and jig 900 is properly engaged with model 602' with arm 922 securely coupled to spacer member 910. The attached analog 230 is designed to automatically position itself in the correct position relative to the cavity 666 'and thus to the model 602'.

For example, model 602 'is a base portion 660' of a particular standard shape and location for model dentition 601 '(i.e., a portion of the model having an outer surface representing the outer surface of the actual tooth). The shape and dimensions of the spacer member 910 can also be standardized or selected from a set of standard dimensions / forms.

The corresponding position and orientation of base portion 660 ′ may be calculated in a relatively direct manner at step 440. If the virtual equivalent of the cavity 666 'has already been designed at step 440, the required position and orientation of the second virtual model representing the analog 230 is also known. The relative spatial position between the end 925 (and mounting mechanism 923) of the jig 900 and the spacer member 910 is also known, and thus the virtualization of the analog 230 to virtually bring the end 925 into the engaged position. By effectively fixing with the model, the corresponding position of the end 912 of the spacer member 910 with respect to the third virtual model is also automatically fixed. Thus, the shape and position of the virtual equivalents of the end 925 and the end 921 of the arm 922, in particular of the arm 922, are easily determined in the third virtual model, and basically the analog model of the analog spacer member 910 Is positioned at a target spatially determined value for the corresponding position of the end portion 912 of.

Suitable machining or other material cutting operations may be used to fabricate the arm 922 from the blank. Or, optionally, the arm 922 may be formed through a rapid prototyping process. The mounting mechanism 923 may be integrally formed with the arm 922 or optionally separately formed and secured in place at the end 925 to the required spatial arrangement.

Once the analog 230 is held in place with respect to the cavity 666 'via the jig 666', it is cemented in place using any suitable cement, adhesive and / or filler material thereafter. The jig can be removed. Then, as with other embodiments of the physical dental model, the dental model can be used to design and fit the prosthesis against the analog 230, which facilitates final coupling of the prosthesis with an individual implant in the patient's mouth. Let's do it. To further assist in this process, it may be desirable to mount the model 602 'in the articulator, so that the base portion 660' and the coupling mechanism, particularly the holes 918, of the base portion first resemble a pin 917, for example. It may be designed to match the mounting mechanism of the articulator, which may have a mounting pin. A physical model of the opposing dentition of the patient in engagement with the tooth represented by the model 602 'may also be mounted in the articulator, thereby allowing the user to study the engagement relationship and the operation of the prosthesis between the two dental models. .

The jig according to the present invention can be used with any suitable cavity, which can be of any suitable shape and which provides a gap gap between the cavity and the portion of the analog that is desired to be implanted in the cavity. It is larger than the part of the analog planted within. Thus, the term "cavity" refers to a well, bore created in a physical model that can be cemented by a suitable filler material that is contained within and accommodated in the gap gap in place. , Slot or any other accommodation space.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the physical model 980 of the patient's dentition of the opposing arch form in engagement with the tooth 601 ′ is mounted to the spacer member 910 once the arm 922 is removed. Thus, the user can study the engagement relationship between the two dental models and how this engagement relationship is affected by the prosthesis mounted on the implant (not shown). To this end, the shape and dimensions of the engaging base portion 982 of the dental model 980, together with the shape and dimensions of the spacer member 910, are such that the dental models 982, 602 ′ may be directed to each other through the spacer member 910. When mounted, the corresponding tooth models 981, 601 ′ are defined to be in engagement.

The system and method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention include all the components and features of the first to third embodiments described above, and are slightly modified to have the following differences. In the fourth embodiment, the analog is not assembled to the manufactured physical model, but instead the physical model is manufactured integrally with the analog.

According to the fourth embodiment, the steps 410 to 440 may be almost the same as the first embodiment although there are some changes.

 However, referring to FIG. 15, the fabrication step 450 may be located at a predetermined position facing the model 606 where the analog 230 is completed at the end of the process of machining, ie, cutting the physical model 606 from the blank 800. Implanting the analog 230 into the blank 800 material in a position and orientation that allows the physical model 606 to be machined from the blank 800 so as to remain effective at. Thus, the starting point of the blank 800 may be that the analog is effectively completely buried in the blank 800 at a known position and orientation with respect to the reference plane P of the blank. For example, analog 230 may be maintained in a particular known position and orientation relative to plate 820 via rigid and selectively removable jig 840. The plate 820 forms a plane P on the upper surface 821. The blank 800 is a horizontal height exceeding the analog 230 above the plate 820 (received by a suitable peripheral wall, not shown) with a suitable machined material so that the heights of all parts of the final model 606 are increased. It can be formed by casting to a horizontal height sufficient to be less than this horizontal height. To this end, step 440 is a virtual blank surrounding the third virtual model, the third virtual corresponding to the position of the relative position and orientation between the analog 230 provided by the jig 840 and the plate 820. Constructing a virtual blank comprising a reference plane corresponding to plane P at a corresponding position relative to the relative position of the second virtual model relative to the model. This facilitates the design and manufacture of the blank 800.

Once the blank 800 is ready, the blank is positioned within the fabrication system 28 and calibrated to identify the position and orientation of the analog 230 and plane P relative to the coordinate system C. To this end, the plate 820 may optionally be configured to be mountable to the manufacturing system 280 in some specific manner relative to the coordinate system C of the manufacturing system 280, such as for example a plate. When mounted for machining in the fabrication system 280, the position and orientation of the analog 230 relative to the plate 820 and thus the coordinate system of the fabrication system is automatically fixed, whereby the fabrication system 280 Automatically align the blanks within, then milling or otherwise machining the blanks 800 so that the fabrication system 280 generates a model 606 from the blanks 800.

The computer system 260 in which the virtual model is created and manipulated by any one embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily need to be located at the same geographical location as the scanner 250 and the patient. Thus, the scanning of the patient is generally performed by a dentist or other dental practitioner in the dental clinic, but the dental clinic may alternatively or additionally be used for other purposes such as the Internet or intranet, local area network, public switched telephone network, cable network, satellite communication system, etc. One or more dental technicians and possibly dental service centers may be connected via a communication means or network, such as a suitable communication medium. In addition or alternatively, the communication means may comprise postal or courier services, in which case the data is transferred via a portable medium such as an optical disc, a magnetic disc or the like. In any case, once the third virtual model has been created, the physical dental model and other dental processes that are not performed on the actual patient can be performed by the dental technician receiving via communication means the necessary data generated by the method 400. have. Dental service centers can be used to fabricate dental hardware that requires high precision, such as the inner surface of the prosthesis that needs to match the outer surface of the coping and the coping itself, for example.

Various embodiments of the invention are limited to numbered paragraphs.

1.A method for producing a physical dental model,

(a) providing a first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one dental implant implanted therein, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing each of the dental implants;

(b) determining a virtual space placement value of each of said virtual portions relative to a first virtual model corresponding to a real space placement value of the respective dental implant associated with at least a portion of said oral cavity; And

(c) a physical model of a portion of the oral cavity, the individual physical in relation to the physical model corresponding to the virtual space placement value of the individual virtual portion in relation to the first virtual model based on the determination in step (b) Producing a physical model comprising a physical analog corresponding to each implant of a spatial placement value based on the first virtual model.

2. The method of paragraph 1, wherein step (b) provides a second virtual model at least partially representing each of the physical analogs, and wherein the second virtual model is separate from the first virtual model. Integrating based on the determination of the virtual space placement value to generate a third virtual model that is the basis for the production of the physical model in step (c). Way.

3. The method of paragraph 2 wherein step (b)

 Manipulating the respective second virtual model with a spatial arrangement value aligned with respect to the respective virtual space arrangement, and based on the first virtual model, a separate physical analog for the physical model of the oral cavity. Generating the third virtual model including a virtual cavity for virtually accommodating each second virtual model therein in a manner corresponding to the cavity required for the physical dental model. How to make it.

4. The method of paragraph 3, wherein step (c) includes forming an outer model surface corresponding to the dental surface of the portion of the oral cavity, and accommodating the respective analogues of the respective physical space placement values. Forming a recess in the physical model corresponding to the individual virtual cavity.

5. The method of paragraph 4, wherein the individual recesses formed in the physical model provide a friction fit against the individual physical analogs to accommodate the individual physical analogs as individual physical space placement values. Wherein at least one of the virtual cavities is created with a shape complementary to the shape of the individual physical analog.

6. The method of paragraph 4, wherein at least one of the virtual cavities is in the shape of the respective physical analog such that the respective recess formed in the physical model provides a sufficient gap gap for the individual physical analog. Created with a complementary shape, the individual physical analogs comprising a jacket formed of a suitable model material, the individual physical analogs comprising individual jackets being individually recessed with the respective physical space placement values And the jacket has an outer shape that is complementary to the outer shape of the respective recess to allow it to be received therein.

7. The method of paragraph 6, wherein the outer shape of the individual jacket is formed to fix the spatial arrangement of the jacket in the individual recess in six degrees of freedom. Way.

8. The method of paragraph 6 wherein the jacket is formed by a casting process applied to the respective physical analog.

9. The method of paragraph 6, wherein the jacket is formed by adding a layer of the model material on an individual physical analog and CNC machining the layer to provide the individual outer shape. A method for making a physical dental model.

10. The method of any of paragraphs 4-9, wherein the at least one virtual cavity is configured such that the respective recess formed in the physical model provides a sufficient gap gap for the respective physical analog. To be created having a shape complementary to the shape of the individual physical analog, and to allow the individual physical analog containing the individual jacket to be received in the individual recesses with the individual physical space placement values, A method for making a physical dental model characterized in that a suitable filler material is introduced to fill the gap gap.

11. The method of paragraph 10, further comprising: providing a jig formed to maintain the physical space placement between at least the respective physical analog and the respective recess until at least the physical analog is fixed in the respective recess. Method for producing a physical dental model comprising a.

12. The method of paragraph 11, wherein the jig comprises a base mounted to a portion of the physical model until at least the physical analog is secured therein.

13. The method of paragraph 12, wherein the portion of the physical model does not comprise a physical model representation of a tooth adjacent to the implant.

14. The method of any of paragraphs 1-13, wherein step (c) comprises forming an outer model surface corresponding to the dental surface of the portion of the oral cavity from a blank of model material; Wherein the blank comprises each of the physical analogs integrally with relative spatial placement values of each other corresponding to relative spatial placement values of each dental implant within the portion of the oral cavity. How to build a model.

15. A method according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, wherein step (c) comprises computer controlled fabrication of at least a portion of the physical model. .

16. The method of paragraph 1, wherein step (c) comprises fabricating the physical model through a material cutting operation applied to the blank material.

17. A dental model produced by the method of any of paragraphs 1-16.

18. A system for fabricating a physical dental model of an oral cavity,

(A) providing a first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing each of the dental implants, A scanning device and computer system configured to determine a virtual space placement value of each of the virtual portions in relation to a first virtual model corresponding to a real space placement value of the respective dental implant in relation to at least a portion of the portion of the dental implant;

(B) a physical analog corresponding to each said implant;

(C) a physical model of a portion of the oral cavity, the physical analog corresponding to each implant of an individual physical space placement value associated with the physical model corresponding to the individual virtual space placement value determined by the computer system; And a fabrication system for fabricating a physical model that includes the physical model, based on the first virtual model.

19. The system of paragraph 18, wherein the fabrication system is computer controlled.

20. The system of paragraph 19, wherein the fabrication system is configured to fabricate the physical model through a material cutting operation applied to a blank material.

21. A method for modifying a physical dental model,

(A) providing a physical model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one dental implant implanted therein, the physical model comprising a model portion representing each of the dental implants;

(B) providing a first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one dental implant implanted therein, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing each of the dental implants;

(C) determining a virtual space placement value of each of said virtual portions relative to a first virtual model corresponding to a real space placement value of the respective dental implant associated with at least a portion of said oral cavity; And

(D) an individual physical space in relation to the physical model corresponding to the virtual space placement value of the individual virtual portion in relation to the first virtual model based on the determination in step (C) within the physical model of the portion of the mouth. Modifying the physical model of a portion of the oral cavity by including a physical analog corresponding to each of the implants of a placement value.

22. A method for fabricating a physical model of an oral cavity comprising at least one implant fitted therein,

(A) A first virtual model representing at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising each dental implant, wherein a first virtual model is provided for which the position and orientation of each implant relative to the oral cavity can be determined. Making;

(B) providing a second virtual model at least partially representing a physical analog corresponding to each of the implants;

(C) manipulating each second virtual model with the spatial placement values aligned with respect to the first virtual model corresponding to the relative placement between the oral cavity and the individual implant, and caching of the physical analog to the physical model of the oral cavity. Generating a third virtual model based on the first virtual model having a virtual cavity to accommodate the second virtual model in a manner of parallelizing the vertices; And

(D) computer-controlled fabrication of a physical dental model of the oral cavity based on the third virtual model, and incorporating each of said analogues. How to build a model.

23. The method of paragraph 22, wherein step (D) comprises forming an outer model surface corresponding to the dental surface of the oral cavity, and forming a recess for receiving the respective analogs in a predetermined order. Method for producing a physical model of the oral cavity comprising at least one implant fitted therein comprising a.

24. The method of paragraph 23, wherein at least one of the recesses provides a friction fit for a separate analogue, wherein the physical model of the oral cavity comprises at least one implant fitted therein. Way.

25. The method of paragraph 23, wherein at least one said recess provides a friction fit against an individual composite analog including an analog with a jacket of model material. Method for producing a physical model of the oral cavity comprising a.

26. The method of paragraph 23, wherein the at least one cavity comprises at least one implant fitted therein, characterized in that it accommodates an individual analog with a sufficient gap gap that can be filled with a suitable cementing material. Method for producing a physical model of the oral cavity.

27. The method of paragraph 26, wherein a suitable jig is used to maintain the spatial arrangement defined as the target value between the individual analog and the individual cavity at least until the physical analog is fixed. A method for fabricating a physical model of an oral cavity comprising at least one implant fitted.

28. The method of paragraph 27, wherein the jig includes a base configured to be mounted to a portion of a physical model that does not include a portion representing an adjacent tooth with respect to an implant location. A method for fabricating a physical model of an oral cavity comprising an implant.

29. The method of any of paragraphs 22-28, wherein step (D) comprises forming an external model surface corresponding to the dental surface in the oral cavity from a blank integrally containing each of the analogs. Method for producing a physical model of the oral cavity comprising at least one implant fitted therein comprising a.

30. A dental model produced by the method of any of paragraphs 22-29.

31. A system for fabricating a physical model of an oral cavity comprising at least one implant fitted therein.

(A) a scanning device and a computer system,

A first virtual model representing at least a portion of the oral cavity comprising each dental implant, wherein a first virtual model is provided for which the position and orientation of each implant relative to the oral cavity can be determined,

Provide a second virtual model at least partially representing a physical analog corresponding to each said implant,

Each second virtual model is manipulated with spatial placement values aligned to the first virtual model corresponding to the relative placement between the oral cavity and the individual implant, and the cavity of the physical analog to the physical model of the oral cavity is manipulated. A scanning device and computer system configured to generate a third virtual model based on the first virtual model having a virtual cavity for receiving the second virtual model in a parallel processing manner; And

(B) an oral cavity comprising at least one implant fitted therein, comprising a computer controlled manufacturing system for fabricating a physical dental model of the oral cavity based on a third virtual model and incorporating each of said analogues; System for building the physical model of the circuit.

In the method claims that follow, alphabetical letters and Roman numerals used to indicate steps in the claims are provided for convenience only and do not imply a specific order of carrying out the steps.

Finally, the word "comprise" as used throughout the appended claims should be interpreted to mean "including but not limited to."

While embodiments in accordance with the present invention have been disclosed, it should be understood that many changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (21)

Jig, wherein the jig is configured to maintain a physical space placement value as a target value between the physical analog and the cavity of the physical dental model until at least the physical analog is secured within the cavity of the physical dental model. The jig of claim 1, wherein the jig has a first end configured to be mounted to the dental model with a first spatial placement value for the dental model, and a physical analog as a second end with a second spatial placement value for the second end. A strut having a second end for mounting relative to the second end, wherein the first end is set to a third spatial arrangement value for the second end, the first spatial arrangement value, the The second spatial placement value and the third spatial placement value are set to the target value between the cavities of the physical analog and the physical dental model when the strut is mounted to the dental model and the physical analog is mounted to the strut. Jig, wherein the jig is selected to provide a defined physical space placement value. 3. The jig according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the jig further comprises a spacer member, the strut has an elongate arm, the elongate arm having the first end and the second end at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Wherein the first end has a strut base portion configured to be mounted to the dental model through the spacer member to provide the first spatial arrangement between the first end and the dental model. . 4. The jig according to claim 3, wherein the strut base portion is formed so that the spacer member is attached to the strut by coupling the spacer member to the strut base portion. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the strut base portion and the spacer member enables the spacer member to be mounted to the strut base portion with a spatial placement value relative to the strut base portion fixed in six degrees of freedom. A jig provided with a coupling mechanism. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first engagement mechanism includes at least two laterally spaced pins protruding from the second spacer end of the spacer member, and corresponding strut base portions to receive each of the pins. Jig characterized by having a recessed groove. The model base part according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the dental model is a model base part, and the model base part is formed to be coupled to the model base part to allow the spacer member to be mounted to the dental model. Jig characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the model base portion and the spacer member enables the spacer member to be mounted to the model base portion with a spatial placement value relative to the model base portion fixed in six degrees of freedom. 2 jig provided with a coupling mechanism. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second engagement mechanism has at least two laterally spaced pins projecting from the first spacer end of the spacer member, and a corresponding complementary portion formed in the model base portion to receive each of the pins. Jig characterized by having a recessed groove. 10. The spacer according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the spacer member has a first spacer end and a second spacer end, the first spacer end being fixed in six degrees of freedom through the strut base portion. The model is configured to be mounted to the first end of the elongate arm with a spacing arrangement relative to the first end of the proximal arm, the second spacer end being fixed in six degrees of freedom through the model base of the dental model. A jig, wherein the jig is configured to be mounted on the dental model with a spatial arrangement value relative to the base portion. Useful jig for dental implant procedure,
An arm having a first arm end and a second arm end spaced from the first arm end, wherein the first arm end has a first coupling mechanism and the second arm end is detachable from the physical analog; An arm configured to hold;
A spacer member having a first spacer end and a second spacer end spaced from the first spacer end, the first spacer end being formed to be coupled to the first arm end via the first coupling mechanism, The second spacer end comprises a spacer member configured to be mounted to a physical dental model having a cavity representing at least a portion of a patient's actual dentition,
The jig has such an arm and a spacer member to act to maintain a physical space placement value set as a target value between the physical analog and the cavity of the physical dental model, and at least the physical analog is to be fixed within the cavity. Until the analog is at least partially housed in the cavity. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the physical space placement value defined as the target value of the physical analogue to the dental model corresponds to the space placement value of the dental model corresponding to the analogue to the actual dentition represented by the dental model. Jig made with. The jig according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the jig is integrally manufactured from a suitable blank through a material cutting process or integrally through a rapid molding process. Useful kits for dental implants,
To receive a physical analog with a model spatial placement value for the model dentition corresponding to the actual spatial placement of the implant relative to the actual dentition, with a model dentition representing the patient's first actual dentition; A physical dental model having a cavity formed; And
And a jig configured to maintain the physical analog at the model space placement value for the cavity until at least physical analog is fixed within the cavity. 15. The jig of claim 14, wherein the jig has a spacer member and a strut, the strut having a strut base portion configured to be mounted to the dental model through the spacer member, and a strut end formed to hold a physical analog. Kit characterized in that. 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the dental model has a model base portion, the model base portion being configured to couple the spacer member to the model base portion so that the spacer member is mounted to the dental model. . 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the spacer member has a first spacer end and a second spacer end, the first spacer end being spaced relative to the strut fixed in six degrees of freedom through the strut base portion. And the second spacer end is configured to be mounted to the dental model with a spatial arrangement with respect to the model base portion fixed in six degrees of freedom through the model base portion of the dental model. Kit. 18. The dental implant of any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the model dentition comprises a model tooth set corresponding to an actual tooth set of at least a portion of the patient's first arch form, wherein the cavity is a missing tooth in the actual dentition. And at least one of said model teeth in a position corresponding to. 19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising a secondary dental model representing a second actual dentition of at least a portion of the patient's second arch form, wherein the second real dentition is engaged against the first real dentition. . 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the assistive dental model is configured to be mounted to the dental model in an engagement relationship corresponding to the engagement relationship between the first actual and second actual teeth. The kit according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the jig is a jig defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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